Microbiology junior Cate Lynn chosen for trip to Africa

An OU student recently won the opportunity to take a trip to Africa and learn how to affect change.

Chegg, an online textbook rental company, and the ONE campaign chose Cate Lynn, microbiology junior, as one of eight students to travel to Zambia and South Africa this July at no cost.

From close to 5,000 applicants, Chegg and ONE selected Lynn because of her passion and interest in learning about the issues surrounding these countries, said Heather Porter, Chegg director of philanthropy.

Porter said Lynn was chosen in one round of the competition to attend a summit with the organization. Lynn came to the conference with limited knowledge of ONE, but gained knowledge and confidence after the first day.

“Cate stood out as if she were an expert,” Porter said. “She had such a passion, very clear articulation and effort.”

Winners were selected based on essay and video submissions and interaction at the summit, Porter said.

Lynn will travel to Africa with students from all over the nation on the trip from July 15 through July 25.

The students will meet with African students, visit health facilities and meet with community leaders to discuss poverty issues, according to a press release.

While on the trip, students will share their experiences on the ONE campaign’s blog.

“By seeing what’s actually happening over there … they can come back and sort of inspire their campus and student base to get involved,” Porter said.

After returning, the students are expected to take their experiences from the trip and affect change from their communities, according to the release.

This includes political advocacy, raising awareness to senators and local representatives and remaining involved with ONE student organizations on their individual campuses, Porter said.

Hillary McLain

Hillary is a former staff member of The Oklahoma Daily who worked as Campus Reporter, Diversity Beat Reporter, Campus Reporter, Copy Editor, News Editor, Assitant Online Editor and Online Editor.